Knee Replacement
Hip and knee replacements are performed by making an incision above either the hip or knee, separating the muscles and ligaments, removing the damaged cartilage and bone, then reshaping the bones and fitting metal/plastic components so the joint can be moved without pain. After the prosthetics are secured, the joint is tested for proper range of motion and to make sure everything is positioned correctly. The muscles and ligaments are repaired and the incision is either stitched or stapled. There has been an increase in the number of hip and knee replacements mainly due to the considerable aging population. To many people, a hip replacement is easier than a knee replacement because the recovery is typically shorter and less painful than that